Azelea plant named ‘Mootum’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Azalea  found as a mutant sport of  Azalea  ‘Conleo’. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development. An upright, dense, globose shaped plant with attractive, ruffled, large semi-double white flowers.

Latin name: Rhododendron hybrid ‘Mootum’.

Variety denomination: ‘Mootum’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family. This new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘Mootum’, was discovered by James Bryan Berry in 2001 in Loxley, Ala. ‘Mootum’ was discovered as a naturally occurring sport mutation of the Azalea plant named ‘Conleo’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,640. The value of this new cultivar lies in its unique blooming period, bloom color, bloom form, bloom size, and growth habit.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Berry's direction in Loxley, Ala. Several generations of the new plant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of the plant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

This new Azalea Hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic prints in which:

1. FIG. 1 is a close-up showing flower and foliage of the new cultivar ‘Mootum’.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures. The colors of the various plant parts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.). Description of colors in ordinary terms are presented where appropriate for clarity in meaning. Colors in the photographs may appear different than actual colors due to light reflectance. Color values cited in the Botanical Description of the Plant accurately describe the actual colors of the new Azalea.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Azalea based on my observations made of plants grown in wholesale commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings in Loxley, Ala.

Distinctive Characteristics:

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘Mootum’ ‘Conleo’ Height (Mature) 5-6′ 5-6′ Width (Mature) 5-6′ 5-6′ Flower Size 2½-3″ 2½-3″ Flower Form Semi-double Semi-double Flower Color 155D 44D Throat Color 4D 44D Flowers per Terminal 2-4 2-4 Bloom Period April April Bloom Period Mid-July > Frost Mid-July > Frost Petal Number 10-15 10-15 Hardy Zone 7 7 Stamen Number 0-5 0-5 Stamen Type Some Petaloid Some Petaloid

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanic.—Rhododendron hybrid ‘Mootum’.         -   Form.—Upright, dense, and rounded.         -   Height.—5′.         -   Width.—4′.         -   Growth habit.—Upright, dense and globose. Fast growth rate             under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.         -   Growth rate.—In a period of six years from a rooted cutting             the plant reaches a height of 3 feet and a spread of 4 feet.             The growth rate is normally about 10 to 12″ per year; the             plant reaches an approximate height of 5′ at maturity while             maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branch             development.         -   Foliage.—Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic,             and varying in size from 1½″ to 1⅞″ long and ⅝″ to 13/16″             wide. The margins are entire, with a petiole 3/16″ to 5/16″             long. Midveins and laterals are impressed on the upper leaf             surface and prominent on the underside. The base of the leaf             is cuneate to attenuate and the apex is acute to mucronate.             The upper surface of the immature leaves are dull,             pubescent, and are RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 144A and the             underside is RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 146D, pubescent, and             the matte. The upper surface of the mature leaves are RHSCC             Yellow-Green Group 146A, dull and slightly pubescent and the             underside is RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 146C, matte, and             pubescent. The immature petioles, midribs and veins are             RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 146C. New growth is pubescent.             These hairs are initially soft and white and cover both             sides of the leaf with a higher concentration on the             petioles and veins. They are slightly curled, flat, and             range in length from 1/32″ to ⅛″. As the growth matures much             of the leaf pubescence is lost; however, the stems,             petioles, and leaf veins retain this pubescence which             becomes more setaceous and darker in color (RHSCC Brown             Group 200A) through the growing season.

In 2005, the date of initial spring growth was March 15, in Loxley, Ala. After the initial spring flush there was almost continuous growth until that fall ending October 20, also in Loxley, Ala. When grown in full sun, the internode length of this plant is 3/16″ to ½″; when grown in light shade the internode length is ⅜″ to ⅝″. As would be expected a plant grown in shade results in a taller, less dense plant with larger leaves.

The average length of terminal growth of the initial spring flush is about 6″ for a plant in full sun and about 8″ when grown in shade. This growth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting in mid July. As the plant continues to grow through the summer and fall more flower buds are produced, which mature and bloom until frost. This remaining growth produces about 5″ to 6″ of height. As cool weather approaches, some of the flower buds become dormant. These buds bloom in April of the next year.

-   -   -   Stems.—The young stems are RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 146C and             densely clothed with spreading white glandular hairs. During             the second growing season they become RHSCC Greyed-Green             Group 197B, glabrous and rugose. The pith is solid and             uniform. Young and older stems are densely branched. The             mature stem is RHSCC Grey-Brown Group 199A in color.         -   Buds.—Tight buds at ½″ are ovate and acuminate RHSCC             Yellow-Green Group 146D with a hairy pubescence Brown Group             200A. The buds are borne in clusters of 2 to 4, and are             sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts which are from ¼″             to ½″ long, persistent, and RHSCC Yellow-Green Group 147A.             The pedicel is ⅜″ to ½″ long, pubescent, and RHSCC Red Group             53C. The calyx is ⅛″ to ¼″ long, RHSCC Yellow-Green Group             144B, funnel shaped, persistent, and pubescent. The five             imbricated sepals are lanceolate and joined at the base to             form a cup. As the buds swell the bud sheath matures to a             RHSCC Greyed-Orange Group 165A, falls off, and reveals the             flower color RHSCC White Group 155D.         -   Flowers.—Perfect, semi-double, upper surface of throat and             flecking is RHSCC Yellow Group 4D Upper Surface petal color             is RHSCC White Group 155D Lower surface petal is RHSCC White             Group 155C. Petals are 1¼″ long and 9/16″ wide. Each petal             has a stripe from throat to tip (one stripe per flower) that             is RHSCC Red/Purple Group 62D. Glabrous, openly funnel             shaped flowers are 2½″ to 3″ wide by 2″ to 2¼″ long, borne             on current season's growth, non-fragrant; they last on the             plant in the garden 5 to 6 days. There are five true petals             which are fused at the base, elliptic to obovate, and have             wavy margins. There are 0 to 5 non-petaloid stamen which are             ¼″ to 1″ long. The filaments and the anthers are both             colored RHSCC Yellow Green Group 145D and the pollen matures             to RHSCC Yellow Group 11B. The 5 to 10 petaloid stamen are             from ¾″ to 2″ long and odd shaped. The petaloid stamen's             color is RHSCC White Group 155C. The uppermost petaloid             stamen are dotted. The dots are colored RHSCC White Group             155B. The pistil is single, non-petaloid, ¾″ to 1½″ long and             the ovary is densely glandular-setose and has five locules.             The pubescent peduncle is 5 mm long and it's color is RHSCC             Yellow-Green Group 149C. Fruit was not observed. There is a             2 to 3 week flowering period in April in Loxley, Ala.             Flowering resumes in mid July as the new buds mature and             continues until frost which can be as late as November or             December in Loxley, Ala. Azaleas blooming at this time of             year attract butterflies in profusion.         -   Culture.—Grows well in a wide range of conditions, tolerates             sun to shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is             rich in organic matter. Responds well to mulching and medium             applications of fertilizer; prefers ph 5.0 to 5.5. Very             little pruning is needed; adaptable to container and above             ground planters; makes a good foundation plant or informal             hedge with excellent foliage and flower contrast. Ideal for             coastal regions and warmer parts of Piedmont. Propagated             with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the             summer.

-   Pests: Lace wing and spider mites can be a problem.     Other Data Provided

Comparison with Parent

All characteristics except flower bloom and throat color identical to Azalea ‘Conleo’, from which the sport mutant ‘Mootum’ originated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Loxley, Ala.

-   -   1. The unique spring, summer, and fall blooming.     -   2. A white and yellow flower. Throat and flecking is Yellow         Group 4D, Petal color is White Group 155D, Stripe from throat to         tip (one stripe per flower) Red/Purple Group 62D.     -   3. Large, semi-double flower with wavy petal margins. The         flowers average 2½″ in diameter.     -   4. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring         through the summer.     -   5. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture         conditions.     -   6. Upright, dense and globose in nature.     -   7. Good specimen plant.     -   8. Desirable in planters.     -   9. Makes a very good hedge or screen.     -   10. Very good foundation plant for large buildings.     -   11. Does well as an understory plant in a woodland garden.     -   12. Hardy to Zone 7.     -   13. Attracts butterflies. 

1. A new and unique variety of Azalea plant named ‘Mootum’ as herein shown and described. 